Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Focus - Live at the BBC CD (album) cover

LIVE AT THE BBC

Focus

 

Symphonic Prog

3.35 | 31 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
2 stars If you are a fan of the symphonic "Focus" there is a high possibilty that you will be disappointed with this live release.

Two songs come from their infect "Focus Con Proby" ("Sneezing Bull" and "Maximum"). Only the former is bearable here. The latter was not too exciting on the studio album and its extension to over foreteen minutes won't do a big deal to improve this feeling.

Only three tracks will raise the level of this album to an acceptable one : a pleasant flute solo ("Sonata For Flute"), their fist single release ("House Of The King") which sounds beautiful as usual. But these are short tracks, unfortunately. I guess that the band could not avoid to play the great and unevitable "Hocus Pocus". You'll get the same original band presentation as in "Live At The Rainbow". Still, this version is not as wild as the previous one.

In terms of live recordings, lots of critics were made for the "Rainbow" concert. I believe that it was substantially superior to this "Live At The BBC". And it is not the unreleased album tracks that will save this live recording, I'm afraid.

Lots of full jazz-oriented moments (but this was already initiated before this live set). This is not the "Focus" I like the most (but I made the same comment while reviewing "Mother Focus"). So, be prepared...you have been warned.

I could not even recommend this album to die-hard "Focus" fans. This one is only if you can digest jazz-rock music, which is not my case.

Two stars.

ZowieZiggy | 2/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this FOCUS review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.